Chapter 1494: Surface Kindness Is Not True Kindness

Ranran has woken up, the baby is hungry, and with the nurse's help, she is breastfeeding the child!

Being a mother for the first time, she lacks experience and is not skilled; the baby cannot latch on and is crying from hunger, making her break out in a sweat from anxiety.

Shi Youxuan comforts her daughter: "It's alright, take your time; everyone is like this when they become a mother for the first time."

Shi Ran is very clever, and with the nurse's help, the baby manages to feed.

After the baby is full, it falls asleep quickly, and Ma Ling'er immediately brings over a fragrant, steaming bowl of black-bone chicken soup: "Ranran, eat while it's hot, and see how it tastes."

The soup is milky white, and one look tells you it was brewed with care.

Shi Ran takes a sip; it tastes very good, just a little bland, but still within an acceptable range.

Besides the black-bone chicken and soft-shelled turtle soup, Ma Ling'er also made several other dishes, both meat and vegetable, all in flavors that Shi Ran likes.

The small table is completely filled.

Shi Ran says to her mother-in-law: "You don't need to go to such trouble next time; just leave it to the servants, don't tire yourself out."

"It's no trouble."

Ma Ling'er lovingly strokes her daughter-in-law's head and says softly: "Silly child, family doesn't stand on ceremony; what trouble is there? I am happy to go to the trouble for you all."

As a mother-in-law, Ma Ling'er has already done a great job, and Shi Ran knows she shouldn't ask for anything more.

So, the questions she wanted to ask—like whether Shi Yuan cried or made a fuss when he left home—remain unasked.

……

Jiangzhou University.

Zichen suddenly receives a call from Huo Zhenteng, surprised and delighted: "What? You are at Jiang University? That's great, I have time. Where exactly are you?"

"Alright, I'll be right there."

Huo Zhenteng says he is by the swan statue near the artificial lake; this place is easy to find and not far from Zichen's dormitory, so the two meet quickly.

"Chairman Huo, I am truly surprised; I didn't expect to see you here."

Huo Zhenteng laughs: "Oh, there is something you don't know yet—I am your senior; I also graduated from Jiang University."

"I returned to my alma mater to visit my teachers, and remembering you were studying here, I stopped by to see you."

"Really?" Zichen is surprised, but even more delighted: "So you are also a Jiang University graduate, that's wonderful! Next time people around me mock being a chef as having no future, I can mention you to shut them up."

"Haha! That's fine, but don't call me Chairman anymore; it's too distant. You can call me Uncle Huo."

"Uncle Huo." Zichen changes his address immediately.

The two chat very happily, and before they know it, lunchtime is approaching.

Zichen suggests treating Uncle Huo to a meal, but Huo Zhenteng says: "I have an appointment for lunch with Professor Zhang from the Philosophy Department; you should join us."

Professor Zhang is famous at Jiang University, a man of profound learning and unique insights; every time he has a lecture, students have to arrive a class early to grab a seat, and if they arrive late, there isn't even standing room to audit.

Zichen also likes Professor Zhang, but he still hesitates: "That wouldn't be appropriate; since you are treating Professor Zhang, I shouldn't intrude."

"There is nothing inappropriate about it. I like you very much as a child, and Professor Zhang is my mentor, while you are a junior I am very fond of; it's perfect for you to help me host Professor Zhang." Since it has been put this way, Zichen agrees.

Professor Zhang is also down-to-earth, and the atmosphere among the three during the meal is excellent.

Huo Zhenteng speaks very highly of Zichen and, half-jokingly and half-seriously, asks his mentor to look after Zichen.

Professor Zhang says: "He doesn't need me to look after him; he is already very outstanding himself, and he is also Principal Gu's prospective grandson-in-law. Who would be so blind as to dare make things difficult for him?"

"Principal Gu's grandson-in-law?" Huo Zhenteng is very surprised; this is the first time he has heard of it.

He knew Sheng Zichen had a background.

But he didn't know he also had a background at Jiang University, and such a strong one at that.

"No, no, I am dating Gu Yuxin, but if I violate school rules, Principal Gu won't show me any favoritism; he would only be stricter," Zichen explains with a smile.

His attitude is neither humble nor pushy.

There is no joy in "leaning on a big tree for shade," nor is there any inferiority from "marrying up."

The two families are well-matched in social status; there is no question of who is climbing higher than whom.

After the meal, Professor Zhang returns to the school, and Huo Zhenteng asks Zichen if he has time in the afternoon.

If he has time, he should accompany him to a small tavern for a couple of drinks; he didn't get to drink to his heart's content earlier while his mentor was there.

Today is the weekend and there are no classes, so Zichen agrees.

The two find an izakaya; the environment is nice, and there are few people in the tavern at this hour. They order a few bottles of beer and two small side dishes, chatting as they drink.

Zichen doesn't usually drink, but he cannot refuse such kindness, and under Huo Zhenteng's persuasion, he drinks a few bottles of beer.

As they become slightly tipsy, Huo Zhenteng says: "Zichen, there is something I don't know whether I should say or not?"

"Please, go ahead."

"The Gu Family Cookbook is in your hands, isn't it?"

Zichen becomes alert; the main reason is that this topic is a bit sensitive.

He does indeed have the Gu Family Cookbook; it was a coming-of-age gift from his master.

But this gift is too heavy; Gu Zhihao demanded that Zichen swear that, except for his future wife, he would not tell anyone that the cookbook is in his possession!

So he has only told Gu Yuxin, not even his own parents.

His master is soft-hearted and easily does foolish things, but there is one thing he is absolutely firm about!

And that is anything concerning the cookbook.

The trouble the Gu Family Cookbook caused back then was immense; the Gu Family was almost wiped out, so Gu Zhihao is especially cautious.

He is lying! This is Zichen's first thought.

So he denies it: "No, my master is just bragging. The original Gu Family Cookbook was lost long ago. What my master was talking about must be the notes we made ourselves later? Just writing down some random thoughts on cooking."

He says something half-true and half-false, avoiding the important parts and hiding the most crucial section.

Since Zichen denies it, Huo Zhenteng does not dwell on the question, and the matter is considered passed.

The two shift the topic to Zichen's studies; Huo Zhenteng tells him to study hard, noting that he is in a popular major and has a family business to inherit, so his future prospects are limitless……

He almost praised Zichen to the heavens.

Everyone likes to hear pleasant words, and Zichen is no exception, but his parents' upbringing from childhood to adulthood has given him a clear understanding of himself, so he will not lose his head and lose his way just from hearing a few nice things.

There is no problem with what Huo Zhenteng said, but Zichen feels something is not quite right; he does not know why a term suddenly appeared in his mind—killing with kindness!

Yes, it is killing with kindness.

Logically speaking, there is no need for someone of his status to curry favor with a junior like him; his behavior is somewhat abnormal, and when things are abnormal, there must be something sinister afoot.

Zichen pretends to be drunk, sitting there swaying heavily.

Huo Zhenteng continues to persuade him, urging him to put more effort into his own major, saying that being a cook has no future, that he should not walk down this path of the kitchen, and that treating it as a hobby is enough.

Zichen inwardly resists this way of speaking; it would be one thing if others said such things, but as the chairman of the Gourmet Association, it is inappropriate for him to speak this way.

Duplicitous and hypocritical.